A slew of changes to the Ontario Fire Code will take effect on January 1, 2026.
The changes will improve harmonization of the Ontario Fire Code with the 2020 National Fire Code of Canada and introduce new requirements to enhance fire-prevention safety. This includes changes to where carbon monoxide (CO) alarms must be placed in existing homes, including detached or semi-detached houses, townhouses and cottages.
The updated requirements apply to all existing homes that have any of the following:
• A fuel-burning appliance (like a furnace, water heater, or stove that uses natural gas, propane, oil, or wood)
• A fireplace
• An attached garage
• Air for heating that comes from a fuel-burning appliance not contained within the home (e.g., an appliance in a utility shed).
If your home meets any of the conditions above, a CO alarm must be installed:
1. Adjacent to each sleeping area (near all bedrooms)
2. On every storey (floor) of your home, including storeys that do not have a sleeping area
These requirements are outlined in Section 2.16 of Division B of the Fire Code (O. Reg. 213/07).
Changes introduced through O. Reg. 87/25: Fire Code also align with recent updates to the Ontario Building Code, including new requirements for CO alarms in existing residential and care occupancies. Click on the respective links for detailed information on new CO alarm requirements for:
Click here for details on other changes introduced by O. Reg. 87/25.